Kids these days seem to be able to use technology before they can talk. They certainly pick up how to use a touch screen very quickly and seem able to find all manner of things their parents can’t! They particularly love video games and can play them for hours, so having the best broadband package is a must. Screen-time can be a worry for many parents, but it’s a fact of life these days. Trying to stop your kids playing can be a battle; you’ll probably have more success directing them towards more educational apps. The right games are an excellent way for children to learn while having fun. There are thousands of educational games for all ages on iOS and Android mobile phones: some great ones, some good ones, and some bad ones too! Here are 5 of the best educational game apps for kids you can find for your mobile phone.

Intellijoy Early Learning Academy

This developer specialises in preschool educational games. The Early Learning Academy has over 900 fun activities, taking a broad approach to ensure your kids get the best start to their educational journey. Maths, reading, writing, art, music and the world about us are covered for three separate age groups, so you can tailor your child’s learning to whatever is most appropriate for them. The app is free to download and then lessons 1 to 20 are free for all three age levels. Beyond that you need to pay a subscription; monthly, quarterly and annual options are available. There is no advertising allowed, so it’s a very healthy and safe environment for children.

Moose Math

This brilliant game engages kids from 3-7 in a math-based adventure where they interact with enchanting characters over 5 multi-level activities. From Moose Juice, where children make smoothies whilst learning addition and subtraction to Lost & Found, where they learn to sort through shapes and colors, all aspects of math, geometry and measurements are included. There’s also a Report Card section where parents can check on progress too. The developer, Duck Duck Moose Games, have also released other excellent educational games such as Pet Bingo, Fish School and Word Wagon.

Metamorphabet

This is a very engaging alphabet-learning game, which scores highly on ease-of-use and interactivity. Each screen shows a letter of the alphabet that can be poked, prodded, dragged and spun to reveal words that start with that letter. Every letter has 90 words, so there’s plenty of variety to keep the little ones entertained. Once children have found all the words each letter has, a star appears, and they then move onto the next letter. The app uses a clear and gentle voice to pronounce the letters and words, while the delightful graphics encourage children to interact and explore. The app will help children learn what the letters look like, how they sound and how they build words and link them together.

Khan Academy Kids

This is a wonderful resource for children. The app enables toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and first graders to access thousands of games, activities, books and songs. The curriculum covered is wide – reading, literacy, vocabulary, math and problem-solving. All activities are also designed to encourage emotional development, creativity and self-expression. They use a cast of lovable characters to guide children through their education and help them to master all the different skills. New content is continually being added and there is something for everyone on this app. And best of all, it is all completely free, with no ads.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends

This app brings the much-loved stories from Eric Carle’s best-selling books into the 21^st Century, featuring eight games and activities for your mobile phone. It includes all the wonderful characters you’ll remember - Brown Bear, The Mixed-Up Chameleon, Mister Seahorse, The Very Quiet Cricket and of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The activities teach counting and sorting, and the little ones will love the puzzles and all the facts about animals and bugs. The app features the lovely artwork in the books, and the award-winning 3D technology really brings the characters to life for a new generation. It’s perfect for preschoolers, kindergarten kids and of course, adults who loved the books as children too!

Final Thoughts

These are just a handful of the best educational apps for kids, there are many more out there! With the best ones, you can always feel safe leaving your children to play them, but make sure you always regularly check what they’re playing or viewing. Make sure they’re getting the best out of their screen time at all times, and make sure you’ve got the best broadband plan by heading online. Finally, while many games are free, a lot of them will include in-app purchases where extra games or items can be bought with a click, and these costs can soon mount up! So, if you download these games for your children, and want to make sure you don’t end up spending on something you thought was free, make sure you turn off in-app purchases in the settings of your device.